RCMP are once again reminding the public about school bus safety.
“When the bus stops, you stop. Our detachment has received complaints regarding vehicles ignoring school buses that are stopped to pick up and drop off children within community,” said Cpl. Kyle Camalush, detachment commander for the Barriere RCMP. “A traffic ticket for failing to stop for a school bus includes a fine of $368 and three penalty points.”
From fall to summer, children in Barriere rely on the big yellow school bus for transportation with parents trusting that their children will get to school and back home safely.
They are counting on motorists to know and abide by the law as defined by the Motor Vehicle Act. It’s important that all motorists are aware of what to do when they encounter a school bus within our community.
As a reminder, a school bus that has stopped to let children off has lights that flash, often with a swing-out “STOP” sign. The school bus driver may have turned on alternating flashing amber lights when preparing to stop.
The Motor Vehicle Act requires that drivers stop in either direction upon observing flashing red lights on a school bus. Vehicles in all lanes must stop. After stopping for a school bus, do not start moving again until the bus moves on or the driver signals that it is safe by turning off the lights and pulling in the “STOP” sign.
B.C. school districts have installed video cameras on their school busses to record evidence for the prosecution of drivers who fail to stop when the red lights are flashing. The video is turned over to police to prompt an investigation and charges.
Drivers must exercise proper precaution when encountering a child on any road, street or highway. This would include students walking to or from a school bus that has stopped.
